Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A North Webster man was arrested Thursday on rape and sexual misconduct with a minor charges.
Austin Michael Dickerson, 33, of 24 EMS W20 Lane, North Webster, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 1:08 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 for rape when the victim has verbally or otherwise refused, a level 3 felony; and sexual misconduct with a minor, a level 4 felony.
His preliminary bond was set at $50,000 surety and $500 cash bond. As a condition of his bond, Dickerson “shall only be released” upon posting of the bond and is subject to pretrial home detention and GPS electronic monitoring at his expense, through the Kosciusko County Community Corrections, according to court documents.
On Feb. 8, a female reported to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office that a minor was sexually assaulted by Dickerson at Dickerson’s residence in North Webster, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The minor was taken to the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center for an examination.
On Feb. 9, the minor completed a forensic interview at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The minor said she went to Dickerson’s residence. She said she went downstairs and sat on the couch. Dickerson asked for the minor’s cell phone, told her to be a “good girl” and told her she was safe.
The court documents state that Dickerson told the minor to make a drink of Smirnoff. The minor said she sat on the couch and Dickerson sat in a chair. He then told the minor she needed to be a “good girl” and told her to chug her Smirnoff, which she did.
He then told her to get another drink and he lifted the minor’s shirt. She pulled her shirt down and asked for her cell phone back. Dickerson said he would return it. The minor chugged the second Smirnoff drink but Dickerson did not return the phone. The minor started feeling the effects of the alcohol, according to court documents, and Dickerson repeatedly told the minor she was safe.
Dickerson then provided the minor with Tito’s and cranberry juice - her third alcoholic drink - as she sat on the couch and Dickerson told her to spread her legs, court documents state. Dickerson told her to chug the third drink and the minor did. The minor said Dickerson then stood up next to her, she closed her eyes and then Dickerson sought oral gratification. He also put his hands on her.
The minor told Dickerson to stop and asked him what he was doing. He asked her to remove her shirt and she said no.
After further sexual advances from Dickerson, the minor indicated she fell onto the floor on her stomach and Dickerson touched her genitalia. As Dickerson tried to pull her pants down, she tried to pull them up. Dickerson then forced himself onto the minor. The minor repeatedly told Dickerson to stop.
The minor said she blacked out and fell asleep. She indicated she later woke up and realized she had vomited on her clothes.
Court documents say Dickerson acted like nothing happened and he returned her cell phone. He asked the minor what she remembered from the night before. He thanked her for the night before and gave her a big hug.
A no contact order was issued by Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath between Dickerson and the victim.
